ZDF Studios to launch AI agency, ZDF Sparks

Dr. Pirita Pyykkönen-Klauck (Source: ZDF Studios)

Germany’s ZDF Studios is to launch an AI agency, ZDF Sparks, to focus on “realising AI solutions for the ZDF network” across planning, communication and distribution.

Headed up by AI expert Dr Pirita Pyykkönen-Klauck, the Berlin-based firm will commence operations on 1 February 2024 and will work with teams from ZDF, ZDF Studios and ZDF Digital as well as external partners.

“AI is a topic of the future with significant strategic importance for us. By founding ZDF Sparks, we are responding to the importance of the topic and positioning ourselves as an AI partner and service provider throughout the ZDF network,” said Dr Markus Schäfer, president and CEO of ZDF Studios.

Pyykkönen-Klauck has more than 25 years of experience in data science, advanced analytics, digital learning and AI. Her professional career includes positions in research and industry in Finland, Norway, the UK and Germany. Most recently, she was technical director and head of AI media services at IU Group.

She commented: “Especially nowadays, there is hardly a more important topic for future-oriented companies than AI. In conversations with my future colleagues at ZDF Group, I have experienced an incredibly strong focus and enthusiasm for a strategic and technological AI vision. I’m really looking forward to bringing together AI talent at ZDF Sparks and working with them and our partners to turn AI technologies into socially important applications.”